i have ever seen. i do not like the fact that there is some semblance of order among the vampires and someone is orchestrating a great war plan we have never before seen."

"it is possible gregori knows of this. he is second to the prince and shares all his information. if they can use such a trap to attack me, it can also be used against our prince, and he should be alerted to the possibility."

vikirnoff studied nicolae's pale face. "you are not taking proper care of yourself. it is necessary for you to be at full strength to fight the call of her blood. if you succumb, we do not know what will happen. i have never heard of such a case before, and we have no way of knowing what to expect." it was a reprimand, delivered in vikirnoff's usual forthright manner.

nicolae sighed. "you just have to act the older brother with me."

"if finding one's lifemate means throwing away all reason, i am uncertain whether it is such a good thing." even as he uttered the words, his thumb slid once more in an unknowing caress over the face of the woman in the photograph.

nicolae held out his hand. "i will take the picture to mary ann's office and make copies for you and show it to velda and inez."

vikirnoff hesitated uncharacteristically. he shoved the photograph inside his shirt. "i will make the copies myself and give you one to show the human women." vikirnoff stepped forward. "you must feed." he tore his wrist open with his teeth, extended his arm to his brother.

nicolae bent his head to the life-giving fluid.

this is becoming a regular habit.

"i have noticed. i am fast gaining the reputation of being a glutton, feeding for both of us," vikirnoff said dryly.

the ancient blood, strong and healing, rushed through nicolae's body, filling shriveled cells, bringing strength and power to muscle and tissue. he took what he needed, knowing he would be replenishing destiny on the next rising. carefully, respectfully, he closed the wound.

"thank you for always being my brother," he said formally.

vikirnoff nodded without replying, his form already shimmering.

i will find my own resting place, close enough to be called should there be need, but far enough to afford privacy.

the flames from the urn sputtered and went out as if a small breeze had moved through the chamber. a wealth of healing aromas filled the cavern and drifted deep into nicolae's lungs. he stretched, feeling the tension in his body slowly begin to fade. there were still remnants of anger and fear at the thought of what had been, what could have happened, but vikirnoff had managed to calm the turbulent storm.

nicolae began the complicated weaving of difficult safeguards at all entrances to the mountain and the network of caves. he didn't want to find himself sharing their resting place with a vampire this night. deepening the resting place so that destiny had even richer soil to welcome her, he floated down into the arms of the earth.

at the next rising he intended to find a way to lock destiny closer to him, find a way to force her acceptance of a healing by the prince's second-in-command. he could be as ruthless as the next hunter if the situation called for it, and he believed this one would. destiny was not likely to welcome gregori, nor would she thank nicolae for summoning the healer.

nicolae gathered destiny into his arms and waved his hand to command the earth to close over them. the soil was warm, welcoming and soothing. he held her close, brushed the top of her head with his lips and allowed his heart to cease beating.